Jerry Twombly - Funding Your God Given Vision Through Relational Development

Breakfast Club Begins September 13

Imagine getting together with CEO's and Development Directors of ministries around the world.   These are the "movers and shakers" in our profession, those out in the trenches, doing the work of development every day.

That opportunity is afforded you every week in the popular free online webinar simply titled: Breakfast Club.  It's an event hosted by Jerry Twombly.  The one-hour session includes important information, a stirring interview, and some practical hints on things you can do to enhance your position among your non-profit's constituents.

The first session for this year is scheduled for Monday, September 13th at 10:30 AM (New York Time).  You must register to attend.   You can register today on the link provided on this site.   Won't you take a few minutes now to register and send an email to a friend inviting them to join you for this informing and valuable event.

T-Shirt Theology

I was flying the other day and the person sitting across the aisle had an interesting T-Shirt. It's message was short and to the point:   "Wherever you are going; There you Are!"

I took out a sheet of paper and wrote it down.  I kept repeating the words to myself throughout the flight and then came home and shared them with my wife.  I found the statement intriguing and somewhat profound.   Let it roll around in your mind for a few hours and I think you may conclude the same.

 

The New Word in Development

Leverage is the new key word in the new economy.

The days of excess are over and everyone is contriving ways to leverage their resources of maximum impact.   It can be seen everywhere.

Investors are looking for return but are a great deal more concerned about preserving principle.   People are approaching time with a different perspective; there are only 24 hours in a day, how they be used for maximum potential?  And it is certainly true in fund-raising.

Don’t be mistaken.  Donors are still giving but they are beginning to look more like investors than extravagant philanthropists.   They look at every opportunity through the critical lense of performance.  Charities that don’t yield adequate returns slip to the bottom of the list.   There’s only so much money to go around. 

The Challenge of the "One Person Shop"

I met a director of a Pregnancy Care Center this week.  When she introduced herself she gave her name and titles:  Executive Director, Development Director, Volunteer Coordinator, Custodian, and a few more.   She came to a seminar I was teaching and before it began she was pleading for help.

With a staff of 10, development is a challenging job.  With a staff of one who is pushed and pulled from different directions its close to impossible.  Close, I say.  Learning how to organize, utilize resources, and leverage them for maximum value is at the heart of success (and survival)!  

You do your organization great developmental harm by being so noble in attempting to do everything.   You will eventually "crash and burn" causing both you and the organization irreparable harm.  Lead the way in creating manageable models that creatively engage volunteers, utilizing their gifts and interests in the pursuit of a common goal.  Celebrate victories together. Build team.

Donor Advised Funds and Endowments

Most seniors are concerned about leaving a legacy. The older one becomes, the more aware they are that life is fragile, mortality certain, and what is left behind will speak to how their life was lived.

The impact of Eli Lilly's life will be remembered more for how he changed the world through philanthropy than the pharmaceutical company he began.   The same is true of people with names like Rockefeller, Pew, Ford, and a thousand others.

The emergence of Donor Advised Funds and Community Foundations allow the average person to establish their own foundation by making regular small contributions.  They receive an immediate tax deduction and the accumulating balance can be gifted immediately or held in perpetuity to fund an endowment that could be used to keep one's mission alive until the Lord returns.

Estate Plan Gifts Becoming Increasingly Popular

In days of economic uncertainty, sometimes the easiest gift to make is the one that hurts the least. 

The momentum of fund-raising is moving to charitable estate planning.  Individuals can take advantage of charitable instruments that can increase their cash flow while making substantial (painless) gifts in support of their favorite charities.  Bequests of a portion of an individual's estate that will be settled at death is also an easy gift.  Topics that were not a meaningful part of the charitable giving discussion are now being given special attention.  You don't want to be left out of this conversation!

Gearing Up

This is a time of the year when many in non-profits begin to slow down.  The "developmental year" is winding down and so are they!

But now is the time to ratchet it up a few notches.   While the summer months represent the slowest quarter for charitable giving, they also offer the greatest opportunity to plan for the year ahead.  Leverage time now and reap big dividends in the year to come.  

Summer Development Institute

One of the years "must do" activities is the Summer Development Institute.

Hosted by the BGW Development Group and The College for Relational Development, this intensive three-day workshop is a "roll up your sleeves and get down to work" event which begins with objective assessment of your organization's overall developmental  health and ends with a road map strategically designed to address your short-term funding needs while posturing you for intermediate and long-term success. 

This no-nonsense conference will provide the practical information and confidence you need to launch a development program that will yield more dollars, enthusiasm, and results than you've ever experienced before.  And not only will you get invaluable instruction, you'll receive workbooks and samples to help you implement your program and ongoing support throughout the year to keep you on target!

This is a program for every organization determined to make an impact.  To get more information and an application, click here:  http://files.me.com/ghtwombly/iue2c5.

Age and Urgency

When I was a teenager, I couldn't wait to get old.  I thought I'd never reach those aging landmarks, 16, 18, and 21.  In my era, these were plateaus measuring growth and maturity.  More privileges were granted and more responsibility was dispensed.

Today I'm 65 and hoping that years wouldn't move quite so fast.  The older I become, the greater the sense of urgency I feel.  There's a clock that continues to tick and it seems more like a "count down".  My time on this side of eternity is diminishing and there's still so much to do; there's little time to waste.

And with all that I find myself becoming more focused. I was chatting with someone last week and I heard myself say, "You know, if you want to continue what you're doing and are satisfied with the same results, that's fine.  I wish you well.  But frankly, I'm looking for individuals and organizations who are dissatisfied with old paradigms and emblazoned by a fire in their soul fueled by an insatiable vision that they can't put out.  That's where I want to spend my time, energies, and resources."

I walked away somewhat stunned by the bluntness of it all.  I really didn't intend to be unkind or indifferent; what I was trying to say is that we've got to start leveraging time and seek to maximize it for kingdom impact. 

Innovation Attracts Attention

The problem many organizations are experiencing these days is constituent boredom.  We act as if everything is just like it was five years ago.  And while we go on with the same old line hoping to raise funds in the same old way so that we can do the same old thing, there are those who are mumbling under their breath, "When are they going to get it?"

Many of those who support you have seen what many of us are slow to comprehend, that it's a different day which requires different answers if we are to thrive in these days of expanded opportunity.  And while mission and purpose don't change, there may be a lot which will need to if we are to remain viable and fruitful.  

A new "makes sense" vision will attract a host of supporters who will look at you in a new light.